LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx women's volleyball team opened Region 15 play on Tuesday evening with an impressive victory on the road over LaGuardia Community College, in straight sets, at LaGuardia CC Sports Gymnasium. Set scores were 25-14, 26-24, and 25-10. The Express have now won four matches in a row.

"These young ladies keep pushing forward by building mental toughness, earning trust, and learning to play as one," Express Head Coach Odaly Aponte-Orta said. "Every challenge only fuels their drive, and they're ready for whatever comes next."

As a team, the Express (4-2, 1-0 Region 15) produced a hitting percentage of .342 during the evening. 

Monroe got off to a slow start in the opening set, falling behind 7-3 and then 9-8. However, the Express responded with nine unanswered points to jump out in front, 17-8. Later in the stanza, Monroe earned a set-point opportunity and took immediate advantage of it thanks to an error by the Red Hawks (4-3, 3-3 Region 15) which clinched the frame for the Blue and Gold, 25-14.

In the second game, with the Express holding a narrow 25-24 edge, Gabriela De La Rosa took a set by Julia Ramos and slammed the ball down for a kill to give Monroe the 26-24 victory and a 2-0 lead in the match.

In the third stanza, Monroe fell behind by a score of 4-3 but then went on an 8-0 blitz to take a commanding 11-4 hold. Later, Monroe earned a 24-10 match-point opportunity. Robyn Eddy officially ended the contest with a kill to clinch the Region 15-opening win for the Express.

During the evening for Monroe - Bronx, Cherlialix Carmona scored 15 kills and provided six digs, while generating a hitting percentage of .419. De La Rosa notched 14 successful attack, a hitting percentage of .379, and a duo of defensive bumps. Aleishka Diaz tallied a match-high 24 digs to go along with four service aces and two assists. Sarai Hernandez earned a career-high nine kills and a .450 hitting percentage, while Julia Ramos generated 29 assists, two aces, and a pair of digs.

Eddy also helped the Express with six kills (.417 hitting percentage). Ayleenee Lopez recorded 11 helpers and four digs. Brycelynn Paul added three defensive bumps, while Yamelyn Bonilla chipped in with a successful attack and a service victory. Diamondnique Stephenson tallied a kill and an assist.

Monroe – Bronx will play a pair of Region 15 matches on the campus of Nassau Community College on Saturday. The Express will battle Westchester Community College at 12 p.m. and then take on Rockland Community College at approximately 2 p.m. 

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 31 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe University marching band, and the newly added esports and men's volleyball programs, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
For more information about the Monroe Express, please visit us at www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Express), Twitter/X (@MonroeExpress), Instagram (@MonroeExpress), and Threads (@MonroeExpress).